I'm Bruce the owner of Hawaii Aloha Travel here in Honolulu.
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In 2014 Facebook decided I talked too much about my passion; Helping folks book Hawaii Vacations and took away all of my organic Mojo
08/11/2024
Are you dreaming of a Hawaiian Destination Wedding? The Hawaiian Islands is an ideal location. Due to its tropical climate and exclusive culture, each unique island evokes a romance unmatched anywhere else in the United States. You may also be looking into Hawaii as the location for your proposal, wedding announcement, or vow renewal. If so, Hawaii Aloha has the design team to create your perfect moment.
Plan your perfect Hawaii wedding with our guide. Discover romantic venues, from beaches to botanical gardens, and learn about easy license processes.
08/11/2024
The Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head is an award-winning property located at the base of majestic and iconic Diamond Head Crater, at the quiet eastern end of Waikiki’s Gold Coast.
The Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head is an award-winning property located at the base of majestic and iconic , at the quiet eastern end of Waikiki’s Gold
08/11/2024
Green Flash Hawaii: How to See It For Yourself
If you see a green flash in Hawaii after sunset, consider yourself one of the lucky few who have experienced this incredible phenomenon.
08/11/2024
If you’ve been reading my posts for a while, then you know that I’m all about cheap activities in Hawaii. There are lots of free outdoorsy things to do, like swimming, hiking, and chasing waterfalls. Not only are they incredible experiences, but they are usually free or very cheap.
To make it easier to enjoy Hawaii without dropping lots of money, I created a list of my favorite things to do for cheap activities in Hawaii
08/11/2024
For discriminating travelers, Hawaii offers the world’s finest 5 star hotels
Experience luxury with 5 Star Hawaii Hotels. Dive into our curated selection of premium accommodations for a lavish island stay.
08/11/2024
Top 5 Oahu Excursions When You’re Short on Time
To see as much of Oahu as possible, consider taking one or all of these 5 Oahu excursions, even if you're short on time.
07/11/2024
Ka’au Crater Trail is one of the most popular hikes on Oahu. Known for its spectacular views and challenging route, this is a favorite among visitors and residents alike.
Those views are hard-earned, though, because the Ka‘au Loop Trail is every bit as dangerous as it is beautiful. But for the capable and prepared, its rewards are profound.
Ka'au Crater Trail is every bit as dangerous as it is beautiful. But for the capable and prepared, its rewards are profound.
07/11/2024
This Way To Historic Haleiwa Town
Step into a slower way of life and come with us to Haleiwa Town, home to big-wave surfing, famous shrimp trucks, and a laid-back lifestyle.
07/11/2024
The ‘First Lady of Waikiki’
Have you met the First Lady of Waikiki? A veil of classiness drapes over her sleek white facade, like the gentle morning rays over a quiet Waikiki.
CNN spoke with flight attendants about their advice for beating jet lag when they travel.
07/11/2024
Everything Macadamia at this Fun Store.
No trip to the North Shore could be complete without a stop at the Macadamia Nut Farm outlet. For the last 10 years visitors have been treated to
07/11/2024
Surfing in Hawaii is an unforgettable experience. This sport is closely intertwined with the culture and history of the islands, and even beginners can join in on the fun. Visitors of (nearly) all ages and levels get to feel at one with the ocean, get great exercise, and experience the unbeatable thrill of riding a wave.
Curious about surfing in Hawaii? We have info for all levels, whether you’re an experienced surfer or a complete beginner.
07/11/2024
Kayaking Kealakekua Bay
Kayaking Kealakekua Bay is an epic adventure that will leave you breathless. Located on the Kona Coast of the Big Island of Hawaii, Kealakekua Bay is a
07/11/2024
Blossoms and Balance
On this day in particular, the sweet fragrance of flowers will be especially apparent to your senses, with bouquets as one of the most popular ways to
07/11/2024
The Polynesian Cultural Center allows you to experience Hawaii in context, along with sister islands like Tahiti and Samoa. A new hands-on activity demonstrates how to cook traditional Samoan foods in an umu — an above ground oven. Guests are invited to help build the oven, then to prepare and cook traditional foods such as talo (taro) and ulu (breadfruit).
The Polynesian Cultural Center allows you to experience Hawaii in context, along with sister islands like Tahiti and Samoa. A new hands-on activity
The Pali Overlook provides a scenic — and windy! — view of the windward side of the island of Oahu. It consistently ranks as one of the top attractions
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Mahalo to Mick Fleetwood who says here " Ninety percent of this island (Maui) is still functioning and a beautiful place to come and that should follow because that supports the people who live here"
Oceanfront suite walkthru Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
Watch as hot, rapidly-rising air swirls lava inside Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano #hawaii #volcano #bigisland
https://ow.ly/NRmZ50ONFep
Jr Suite walk-thru at the newly renovated Marriott Waikiki Beach hotel
Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast
Top 7 Post pandemic Hawaii Vacation Savings Tips
Gorgeous day on Oahu
Is the Big Island the right choice for your Hawaii vacation? | Big Island Pro’s and Con’s http://ow.ly/xiVg50IKMex #hawaii #bigisland #vacation #travel
Where to stay on the Big Island https://bit.ly/3mweO7Y
#Hawaii #travel #vacations #bigisland
6 Mistakes people make when trying to save money on a Hawaii Vacation
On today's podcast, we cover the common rookie mistakes people make when trying to save money on a Hawaii Vacation
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Making the Hawaii Connection
Bruce Fisher spends his days telling visitors about Hawaii, but his own first impressions are somewhat hazy. His first visit was when he moved here in 1992. Working a radio shift at night, Bruce got a crash course on Hawaii culture during the day.
That crash course took on new intensity when Hurricane Iniki hit the island of Kauai on September 11 of that year. Bruce got to the island just after the impact. There was no way to get information to or from the island: telephone lines were down, and radio stations were off the air. “I left with a cassette tape recorder, one change of clothes and about $20 in my pocket,” Bruce says. “I had a hotel room and a car with a full tank of gas.” What he thought would be a one or two day trip stretched to nine days, and that tank of gas had to last six because it was not possible to get more. The hotel stopped serving meals his first night, and the room became uninhabitable due to mosquitoes.
But none of that stopped Bruce and his microphone. He recorded interviews with everyone he could find, giving the tapes to Civil Defense pilots who delivered them to Oahu as they flew back and forth between the islands. “The radio station would broadcast that “Bruce is going to be at the church in one hour, meet him there to get messages to loved ones,” says Bruce. “The radio station played the tapes all night long, sometimes raw (unedited). It was the only way for people to find out about loved ones.”
For most people not born in Hawaii, learning how to pronounce local names and place names takes training the tongue to move in unfamiliar ways. Bruce hadn’t had much time on the islands and remembers getting coaching on pronunciation during the commercial breaks of live broadcasts. “I didn’t know how to pronounce Nāwiliwili (a major Kauai harbor),” he says, laughing. “I tried to avoid using the names because I knew I was saying them wrong.”
Bruce Fishe
Bruce’s radio career advanced from overnight board shifts to a talk show where he was called “The Fisherman.” This was his big dream since childhood: to be a talk show host. “Radio was my passion. When other kids were listening to sports or music, I was listening to Larry King and other pioneers of talk radio. I was fascinated with it.” Bruce listened to talk radio at night and watched daytime television talk show hosts like Mike Douglas and Merv Griffin. “I thought, what a great job that would be!” But when his job ended, rather than accepting an offer on the mainland, he stayed in Hawaii and transitioned to a new form of communication: the internet.
Bruce had discovered his entrepreneurial spirit much earlier, back on the mainland. While working in sales, he had invented, patented and produced a product called the Remote Mate. This was useful before the days of the universal remote, when it was common to have three or four remotes just to run the TV, VCR and cable. Similarly, in the early days of the internet, it took some technical skill to connect. Bruce made house calls to set up internet service through modem and disc, served as an internet service provider, built, marketed and hosted websites. But the early enthusiasm for all things dot com was tested in the 2000 collapse, and Bruce morphed into a travel business with the help of his wife, Yaling. “I have to thank Yaling,” Bruce says. “My success is mine, but this company is a partnership, and I need her 100 percent. Without her, I couldn’t have done this”
Bruce is proud of the business that he and Yaling have built. “This business is our baby.” At 18 years, it has passed infancy and is still growing. Hawaii Aloha Travel is adding more services focused on local activities (in addition to air travel and hotels) and is beginning an affiliate program. With all that activity, Bruce makes time for hobbies, like exercise and running. Friends who surf have motivated him to begin learning that sport as well. But, he says, “My passion is working on this company.”
Internet companies like Expedia make it possible for anyone to make their own travel arrangements, but that can also become overwhelming. “Maybe you don’t need us if you come to Hawaii every year,” Bruce says. “But for a lot of people, this is their first trip, maybe their only trip, and they don’t want to screw it up.” While there is a lot of good information online, it is hard to evaluate from a distance. “When you read a review, that is someone’s experience at one point in time. We have a history with the property, not just because we’re here: the real reason is because we have knowledge of the place – that’s the reason to use a travel agency.”
Bruce still enjoys communicating, through podcasts and social media. “I get a kick out of responses, when people recognize what we do for them,” Bruce says. “Being appreciated always makes it a great day.” He pauses, then adds, “Most days are like that for me.”
